n. [ OF. arson, arsun, fr. L. ardere, arsum, to burn. ] (Law) The malicious burning of a dwelling house or outhouse of another man, which by the common law is felony; the malicious and voluntary firing of a building or ship. Wharton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. 1 a criminal who illegaly sets fire to property.
Syn. -- incendiary, firebug. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

☞ The definition of this crime is varied by statues in different countries and states. The English law of arson has been considerably modified in the United States; in some of the States it has been materially enlarged, while in others, various degrees of arson have been established, with corresponding punishment. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OF. empersone. See 1st In-, and Parson. ] (Eng. Eccl. Law) Presented, instituted, and inducted into a rectory, and in full possession. -- n. A clergyman so inducted. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. persone person, parson, OF. persone, F. personne person, LL. persona (sc. ecclesiae), fr. L. persona a person. See Person. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Eng. Eccl. Law) A person who represents a parish in its ecclesiastical and corporate capacities; hence, the rector or incumbent of a parochial church, who has full possession of all the rights thereof, with the cure of souls. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any clergyman having ecclesiastical preferment; one who is in orders, or is licensed to preach; a preacher. [ 1913 Webster ]

He hears the parson pray and preach. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

Parson bird (Zool.), a New Zealand bird (Prosthemadera Novæseelandiæ) remarkable for its powers of mimicry and its ability to articulate words. Its color is glossy black, with a curious tuft of long, curly, white feathers on each side of the throat. It is often kept as a cage bird. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. (Eng. Eccl. Law) A certain portion of lands, tithes, and offerings, for the maintenance of the parson of a parish. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The glebe and house, or the house only, owned by a parish or ecclesiastical society, and appropriated to the maintenance or use of the incumbent or settled pastor. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Money paid for the support of a parson. [ Scot. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

What have I been paying stipend and teind, parsonage and vicarage, for? Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Furnished with a parson. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. Of or pertaining to a parson; clerical. [ 1913 Webster ]

Vainglory glowed in his parsonic heart. Colman. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Par*son"ic*al*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

a. Appropriate to, or like, a parson; -- used in disparagement. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]